How far is Council Bluffs, IA from Nashua, IA?

The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Nashua, IA is about 272.7 miles (438.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 21m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 206.6 miles (332.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 42m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
272.71 mi
05h 21m
Flight
206.59 mi
332.47 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Council Bluffs.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
206.59 mi
Kilometers
332.47 km
Flight Time
00h 24m

Driving Distance

Road route
272.71 mi
Kilometers
438.88 km
Drive Time
05h 21m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 05h 21m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Nashua
Sat, Apr 18, 10:50 AM CDT
Return by in Council Bluffs
Sat, Apr 18, 4:12 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Council Bluffs
2026-04-18T05:29
Arrive Nashua
Sat, Apr 18, 10:50 AM CDT
Route Timing
05h 21m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:21 AM to 1:21 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:18 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Council Bluffs
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Saylorville
IA

City in Polk County, Iowa, United States of America

From Council Bluffs
136.2 mi
02h 40m
To Nashua
136.5 mi
02h 40m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
57°F
Saturday

Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 to 15 mph NW
Destination
45°F
Saturday

Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
18 to 23 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Council Bluffs and Nashua.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and Nashua.

  1. 1

    Start on West Broadway

    1850 ft · 1 min · West Broadway

  2. 2

    Continue on West Broadway

    3251 ft · 1 min · West Broadway

  3. 3

    Continue on West Kanesville Boulevard

    4.2 mi · 8 min · West Kanesville Boulevard

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight left

    1399 ft · 34 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    113.8 mi · 2 hr 2 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City

    14.4 mi · 17 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I 35 North, I 235 South: Minneapolis, Des Moines

    79 mi · 1 hr 26 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 3: Hampton, Clarion

    2550 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Turn right onto State Highway 3

    8.9 mi · 12 min · State Highway 3

  10. 10

    Continue on Central Avenue West

    2.1 mi · 4 min · Central Avenue West

  11. 11

    Continue on State Highway 3

    8.2 mi · 11 min · State Highway 3

  12. 12

    Continue on 210th Street

    1.8 mi · 2 min · 210th Street

  13. 13

    Continue on South Street

    1.7 mi · 3 min · South Street

  14. 14

    Continue on 210th Street

    7.4 mi · 10 min · 210th Street

  15. 15

    Continue on State Highway 3

    1 mi · 1 min · State Highway 3

  16. 16

    Continue on 210th Street

    6.5 mi · 9 min · 210th Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto State Highway 188

    1.8 mi · 3 min · State Highway 188

  18. 18

    Continue on South Main Street

    1.5 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

  19. 19

    Continue on Spring Avenue

    4 mi · 6 min · Spring Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn right onto 140th Street

    6.6 mi · 10 min · 140th Street

  21. 21

    Take the ramp left

    2081 ft · 57 sec

  22. 22

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    6.6 mi · 8 min · Avenue of the Saints

  23. 23

    Take the exit slight right

    2050 ft · 57 sec

  24. 24

    Turn right onto Sample Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · Sample Street

  25. 25

    Turn right onto Main Street

    612 ft · 27 sec · Main Street

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Council Bluffs and Nashua.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
26 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West Kanesville Boulevard
118 mi · 43%
I 35 North
79 mi · 29%
State Highway 3
18.1 mi · 7%
210th Street
15.7 mi · 6%
I 35
14.4 mi · 5%
140th Street
7.01 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

West Kanesville Boulevard

Merge slight left

114 mi · 02h 02m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
05h 21m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+66.1 mi
206.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Saylorville
02h 40m from Council Bluffs
Leave By
6:18 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny leaving Council Bluffs and Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Nashua.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Nashua?

The road trip is about 272.7 miles (438.9 km) and usually takes 05h 21m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Saylorville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 136.2 miles from Council Bluffs and 136.5 miles from Nashua.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 206.6 miles (332.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 66.1 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:18 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.28 one way or $72.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 85.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny around Council Bluffs and Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Nashua.

Stop Ideas Near Saylorville

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Saylorville, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Saylorville.

RAIL

Osceola

72 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets
RAIL

Creston

92 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Nashua. Straight-line distance: 206.59 mi (332.47 km).

Council Bluffs

#1 Council Bluffs

The most populous city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa.

Population62,216
Coordinates41.2619400, -95.8608300
Altitude301
CountryUnited States
Nashua

#2 Nashua

City in Chickasaw and Floyd counties in Iowa, United States

Population1,571
Coordinates42.9527500, -92.5363000
Altitude297
CountryUnited States
Start: Council Bluffs (-95.86083, 41.26194)
End: Nashua (-92.5363, 42.95275)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 439 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 05m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 49m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 27m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 32m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 53m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 24m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.62 gal
36.43 L · about $36.28
Round trip
$72.55
19.24 gal · 72.86 L
Estimated CO2
85.5 kg one way
Round trip: 171 kg / 377 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $36.28 $72.55
Mid-grade $4.25 $40.91 $81.83
Premium $4.65 $44.77 $89.54
Diesel $5.30 $51.02 $102.05

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Iowa · Apr 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Council Bluffs and Nashua. The current time is 05:29:37.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.